News Release Page Title

18 October 2004

MINISTERS PAY TRIBUTE TO THE NORTHERN IRELAND WATER COUNCIL

Minister of State, John Spellar, MP, and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Angela Smith, MP, today announced proposals to abolish the Northern Ireland Water Council following expiry of the present Council’s term of office in March 2006.

Minister John Spellar said: "The first Northern Ireland Water Council was appointed in 1973 following re-organisation of local government. For over 30 years, it has played a valuable role in advising Northern Ireland Departments on water-related functions. However, we now believe the Council has fulfilled the role for which it was created and it is time to replace it with new arrangements."

The Ministers explained that government departments in NI are already required to carry out wide ranging public consultation on policy proposals. This, combined with recent decisions to establish an economic regulator and a consumer representative for the water industry here, confirmed their belief that we do not need to retain the Water Council.

Minister Angela Smith added: "We are confident that the new regulatory regimes will provide protection for the people of Northern Ireland. We are also confident that the Northern Ireland Assembly Committees have sufficient powers to properly hold the Northern Ireland Departments to account for the discharge of their functions. Without this change, the appointment of a Council after 2006 could result in duplication."

The Ministers explained that there would be full consultation on the proposed abolition of the Council, which would take place within the wider consultation programme on the reform of water and sewerage services. This will be launched shortly.

The Ministers praised the Chair and members of the Council, saying:

"We want to pay a warm tribute to the past and present Council Members for the valuable contribution they have made to the work of the Northern Ireland Departments. We owe them a debt of gratitude for freely volunteering their time and expertise, and recognition for the effective representation and valuable advice they have provided on a wide range of water-related issues."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. The Northern Ireland Water Council is an advisory non-departmental public body (NDPB) set up under Section 4 of the Water Act (NI) 1972. Its role is to advise a number of departments on the exercise of their functions under the 1972 Act and the Water and Sewerage Services (NI) Order 1973 as amended by the Water (NI) Order 1999.

  2. Council members are appointed by Ministers responsible for the Department for Regional Development and the Department of Culture, Art and Leisure. The Council also advises the Department of the Environment and the Department for Agriculture and Rural Development.

  3. The Council comprises 15 members drawn from industry, commerce, agriculture and some district councils; all members of the current council were selected following open competition. Council members do not receive any remuneration but expenses are paid.

  4. The requirement for NI departments to consult widely with all sections of the public in Northern Ireland is set out in Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

    Click here to print this press release.